Showdown at the Grotto — David B. Graham

Charlie Williams is a gifted football player with dreams of playing for Notre Dame University. But as his first season on the St. Joseph High School football team begins, his hopes are threatened by a sinister stranger. A man calling himself Papa runs a gambling ring that wants to corrupt high school sports in Charlie's home state. Papa will stop at nothing to get what he wants, even threatening to harm Charlie's sister Mimi. When a state police lieutenant gives Charlie a chance to stop Papa, this young man of grit and integrity knows he has to take that chance. Charlie must appear to cooperate with the gamblers, putting his future football career on the line to collect information and even appear to accept bribes. And he can tell no one what he's up to!